Hall Repair Before the Winter
Hope of ministry grant abandoned

Abandoning its request for a grant from the Ministry of Education – the cause of some delay recently – Rushden Council decided on Wednesday to go ahead with the restoration of Rushden Hall.

With the approval of the Ministry of Local Government the Council accepted the tender of Messrs. Robert Marriott, Ltd., at £4,840, for the first phase of Professor A. E. Richardson’s plan. Permission to raise a loan has yet to be obtained, but the clerk (Mr. A. G. Crowdy) said it was hoped that something would be done to the roof before the winter.

The grant sought from the Ministry of Education was to have been conditional on the Hall being used as a community centre.

Arising from the visit of the Northamptonshire Regimental Band to-morrow, members urged that seating should be provided for the public at all band concerts in the Hall grounds. Councillor H. Waring replied that he thought the public would be satisfied on Saturday and that for next year it was proposed to arrange seats within an enclosure.

Any More?

It was decided to improve the junction of Queen Street and Rectory Road by laying out a small garden, with paths and seats, at an estimated cost of £100, but Councillor A. H. Bailey said he hoped that if the Highways Committee had any more hundred pounds to spend they would remember the general footpaths.

Asked by the Ministry of Transport to remove at least four of the five pedestrian crossings in the High Street, the Council agreed to reply that they will not accept responsibility for recommending the removal of any crossing. Councillor A. A. Allebone spoke scathingly of the Divisional Engineer’s proposal.

Letters received by the County Surveyor have objected to the proposed omnibus shelter in Wellingborough Road opposite the Oakley Arms, one complaint being that dangers arising from two stopping places immediately opposite each other would be perpetuated. The Highways Committee adhered to their plan, however, and expressed the opinion that if bus stopping places are adjusted the one on the opposite side of the road should be moved.

Order Sought

Opposing proposals for the development of the marine store site adjoining Spencer Park, the Council invited the County Council to make an order discontinuing the present use of the land.

A £3,985 contract (subject to loan consent) was placed for extensions to the Council Building, and it was agreed also to apply for sanction to an £800 loan enabling the two remaining grass tennis courts at Spencer Park to be converted into hard courts.

In developing the Upper Queen Street estate the Housing Committee will continue to provide traditional houses of the three-bedroom type. They will not copy houses they saw in course of erection at Corby.

Licences were issued for two houses to be built by unpaid labour. The applicants were Mr. W. J. Hardwick (Fern Road site) and Mr. A. W. Leggett (Birchall Road site).

6s Garages

It was agreed to let the new garages in Highfield Road at inclusive rents of 6s per week.

Building plans included the following: Car park at the rear of Nos. 54-58 High Street South, for Townsends Garages Ltd.; new access to Queen Street, Whittington and Tomlin, Ltd,; garage Woodland Road, Mr. W. Packwood; garden shed, 41, Purvis Road, Mr. F. Tyman; extension to works, East Grove, Cox and Wright, Ltd.; site plan for garages and store Glassbrook Road, Mr. F. Britton; alterations and extensions to hide stores, Kimbolton Road, Harris Bros. Ltd.; access for car park, Wellingborough Road, Rushden Mission Church; two police houses, Roberts Street; garage and fruit store, “Hillside,” Irchester Road, Mr. A. E. Hill; plumbers shop, Higham Road, Robert Marriott, Ltd.; reinstatement of war damage, 147, High Street, George Bull, Ltd.; two semi-detached houses, Upper Queen Street, Messrs. R. Heritage and R. Burnett; garage, 7, Glassbrook Road, Mr. T. C. F. Britton; garage, 27, Palm Road, Mr. E. B. Blunt; bay window, 49, St. Mary’s Avenue, Mr. W. Carroll; garage, wash-house and barn, 301, Wellingborough Road, Mr. D. Norris; conservatory, “Greenways,” Moor Road, Mr. G. Smith; coal shed, 34, Kings Road, Mr. F. Richardson.

Waiting

Making up Blinco Road under the Private Street Works Act was estimated to cost £5,310 but no action will be taken until the frontage owners are informed of the estimate.

The Medical Officer (Dr. P. X. Bermingham) reported 15 births and 14 deaths during July.

Subject to Government approval it was agreed to accept the tender of Messrs. F. and R. Windsor, at £2,021, for the improvement of the Wellingborough Road almshouses.

The rateable value of the district was reported to have increased by £826 to £88,269 during the quarter ended June 30th.

The Council approved proposals for the establishment of a South-East Northants Food Control Committee to serve Rushden along with Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Raunds, Wellingborough and Wellingborough Rural District. Mrs. Muxlow, Mrs. Rowthorn and Mr. T. W. Cox were nominated as Rushden’s consumer members.

It was agreed to launch a local appeal in support of the Jamaican Relief Fund.

The chairman (Councillor C. G. Faulkner) was congratulated on his appointment as a County Alderman.

Members in attendance were Councillors C. G. Faulkner, C.A. (chairman), J. Allen (vice-chairman), Mrs. O. B. Lean, E. J. Roe, A. A. Allebone, A. H. Dickens, E. E. Newell, A. H. Bailey, F. E. Brown, W. E. Capon, Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow, C.C., J. H. J. Paragreen, H. Waring, W. J. Sawford, E. A. Sugars and J. T. Richardson, J.P.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors W. J. Keller and Mrs. W. O. Rowthorn.